FitzPatrick transfer nears completion

Central New York lawmakers and leaders are applauding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval of the sale of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant as the final step needed to ensure its continued operation, but there's still some work to be done.

Exelon spokesperson Jill Lyon says her company is now discussing the remaining transition items to finalize their purchase of FitzPatrick with the Oswego County plant's current owner Entergy.

"Any final details of a business transaction would be part of the things that are being worked through as well as preparing to integrate the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant into the Exelon generation fleet," Lyon said.

Simultaneously, the state Public Service Commission is hammering out the final specifics of its nuclear subsidy program. Starting next month, nuclear plants like FitzPatrick will get paid by the state for the energy they produce, subsidized by an estimated $2 monthly increase on consumer's energy bills.

The program is supposed to help make financially struggling nuclear plants like FitzPatrick profitable for at least the next 13 years as the state attempts to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent. But even now the future for these plants is not secured. The nuclear subsidy program is currently facing several lawsuits and possibly a challenge from the New York state legislature.

Related Content

The New York State Assembly held a hearing Monday on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to spend $8 billion in subsidies to keep three upstate nuclear power plants operating for the next 12 years. But no one from the Cuomo administration showed up.

Municipalities across New York State are expected to be paying more in energy costs because of the state's nuclear subsidies. That is according to a report from the Alliance for a Green Economy, which opposes the nuclear subsidies. The report estimated the extra cost for six of the state's largest cities. The city of Syracuse is expected to pay an additional $1.4 million over the next 12 years. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said that number does not scare her.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the sale of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant from Entergy to Exelon. The deal to keep the plant open is now one step closer to completion.